Sorry this took a while, guys! I had family on Thanksgiving, lots of school stuff, then the Internet went down… wow, December's my month. :I
Anyways, for the chapter you've all been waiting for…!
….
Carlos' face reddened. "Wha- wait, why are you-?"
"I just wanted to thank you," Carmen said softly. "For the rose."
"..Oh." Carlos' redness worsened. "Y- you're welcome."
Luis cleared his throat, getting the attention of the young woman and man. "Carlos, what if you show this young woman around the town? She is new, so it would be wise if a strong, brave bull showed her around-"
"Father." Carlos' blush extended to his ears.
"I'd like it if you did show me around," Carmen politely commented.
Luis wiggled his eyebrows.
Carlos gave his father a glare that said, "Oh, I'll deal with you later."
Carlos turned to Carmen as if no tension had happened. "Very well, senora Carmen-"
"I'm not married." Carmen added.
"Hey." Luis grinned. "She's single."
"PADRE." Carlos looked back at his dad, even more flustered. Carmen gave a shy giggle, which worsened Carlos' cheeks.
…..
"So, Senor Carlos-" Carmen started.
"Carlos. Just Carlos, please. Senor Sanchez is my papa. And my grandfather."
"Oh. Then, Carlos, how long have you lived in San Angel?"
Carlos shrugged at the town around them. "My whole life, I think." He grinned. "Really, it's so peaceful here."
San Angel was bursting with its usual beautiful colors. The day seemed more sunnier and nicer to walk in. Even though it was warm and calm, Carlos still had goosebumps and his hands trembled from the recent bullfight. He suddenly wondered if Carmen was impressed with his skills-
"Have you ever fought a bull before, Carlos?"
"Oh," Carlos fiddled with the hilt of his sword nervously. "Si, plenty of times."
"Have you ever killed one before?" Carmen looked at him curiously. "You seemed to handle its death just fine."
Carlos raised a finger to reply. "Well, I… actually, no."
"No?"
"Never before today." Carlos' heart sped so fast, he didn't think that he had a heartbeat anymore.
"Ah." Carmen gave a tiny nod. "I doubt I ever would be able too."
Then silence ensued. Carlos didn't know how to talk to women! Sure, his dad told him how to make them swoon while he was in the arena, but… how do you TALK to one? Especially a pretty one…
"So, Carmen, um…" Carlos sat down at the edge of the town fountain. "I… I was wondering-"
A crash made Carlos shoot up to his feet and Carmen gasp.
Men- all dirty, rugged, ugly- had come into the town, making the whole town ensue into panic.
"The banditos are here!" A boy screamed. That didn't help the town calm down.
"Bandits!" Carlos stepped back. He turned to Carmen. "Carmen, get inside to a safe place."
"Carlos-"
"Do as I say, please!" Carlos reached for his swords.
Carmen nodded hesitantly. "Alright." She looked back at him one more time. "Be safe, Carlos."
He nodded. "I will, senorita."
He grabbed his swords. "They'll need to get through me," he hissed.
The lead bandito looked at him. He was rather short and squat. And, of course, ugly. "This town is Chakal's now."
Chakal… that name nade shivers go down Carlos' spine, despite him not showing it. "Well, if it is to be his-" the blades flew from Carlos' back to his hands, pointed and ready- "Then he must be a pure- blooded coward to not come get it himself."
The bandits gasped in union. The leader pulled out a blade- a very big, rusted, chipped blade. "You don't call our leader a coward."
"Don't call him one, either!"
A new voice made all the Bandits leap in surprise.
Confused, Carlos looked behind him.
A strong- jawed, mustached man strode over from behind Carlos. He looked intimidating and fierce. His uniform said he was a captain.
He twirled his moustache, tauntingly looking at the bandits. "You've picked the wrong town to mess with, bandits. Besides-" he tipped his sombrero to Carlos. "He did make a point of your leader." He smirked.
Again, the bandits let out a gasp.
"Oh, it's on!" The lead bandit grabbed his other sword- no wait, an axe.
Carlos frowned. "Oh, this is gonna be hard," he mumbled.
The other man grinned. "Oh, it's gonna be fun." The captian pulled out his swords.
YEEEEAH PUTTIN' YALL ON EDGE BECAUSE I AM EVIL!
If anyone can guess who Carlos' new pal is, you get a cookie. PM me or put your guesses in the reviews. Also, review this story- not because I ask, but reviews really motivate and keep me going!